Pin wheel register



Nov. 27, 1945. w. c. PFEIFFER PIN WHEEL REGIS TER Original Filed Feb. 6, 1941 INVENTOR WlLUAM MToRus'Ys Patented Nov. 27, 1945 William C. Pfeifier, Dayton, Ohio, assignor to The gry Register Company, Dayton, Ohio, a

corporation of Ohio Original application February 6, 1941, Serial No. 377,715. Divided and this application October 16, 1941, Serial No. 415,237

4 Claims.

This invention relates to an apparatus for feeding a plurality of paper'webs through a machine which produces multiple copies of a form, the invention more particularly relates to a feeding mechanism for such a machine.

An objector" the invention is to provide a feeding mechanism for feeding paper through a machine which has a circular platen associated therewith over which, the paper web passes.

Another object, of the invention is to provide a feeding mechanism for feedinga paper web over a circular platen by engaging the web along the edges thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a feedlng mechanism consisting of 3 Wheel havmg a plurality of needles therein which are adapted to engage the edge of a paper web or sheet which is to be fed over a circular platen,

Another object of the invention is to prow'de a needle wheel feeding mechanism upon a typing machine which is rotated concomitantly with the platen thereof for feeding a paper sheet or web over the platen.

It is another object of the invention to provide a needle feeding mechanism associated with a, circular platen in such a manner that the feeding mechanism may be engagedwith a paper web or sheet to be fed over the platen or can be disengaged from the web or sheet to permit movement of the sheet with respect to the platen, or movement between adjacent sheets.

It is another object of the invention to provide a needle feeding mechanism for advancing paper over a platen.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a needle feeding mechanism associated with a typewriter platen for feeding paper webs over said platen.

It is still another object of the invention 'to provide a needle feeding mechanism for a paper handling machine wherein the needles are retractible. V

It is another object of theinvention to provide a needle feeding mechanism associated with a rotatable platen for feeding paper over said platen when, the same is rotated.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description and from the drawing.

This application, is a divisionof my copending application Serial No. 377,715, filed February 6, 1941 (now Patent No. 2,305,988, granted Dec. 22, 1942).

In the drawing: v

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a typewriter platen showing a needle feeding mechanism associated therewith. v

Figure 2 is a plan view of a typewriter platen having a needle feeding mechanism associated therewith in a modified manner from the showing of Figure 1. u

Figure 3 is a cross-sectional view taken al line 33 of Figure 2. l

Figure 4 is a plan view of a typewriter platen showing the needle feeding mechanism carried within the platen.

Figure 5 is an end View, partially in cross section of the mechanism shown in Figure 4 and taken along the line 5-5 thereof.

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view taken along line fi-6 of Figure 5. p 7

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of a portion of the typewriter platen taken along line 1 of Figure 5.

This invention relates to a feeding mechanism for feeding paper over a circular platen, and is disclosed in the drawing and described in the specification as being associated with the platen of a typing machine. The conventional manner of feeding paper through a typing machine is to apply pressure upon the surface of the paper sheet or web to force the same into engagement with the circular platen of the typing machine so that the paper is fed by frictional engagement with the platen. when the same is rotated. In this invention the feeding mechanism consists of a plurality of needles which are suitably mounted and rotated concomitantly with the platen of the typing machine and are so positioned with respect to the platen that the needles engage the edges of the paper to be fed through the machine so that they pierce the paper to make positive engagement therewith and thus draw the paper web over the platen. The needles are driven concomitantly with rotation of the platen of the typing machine so that rotation of the needles will draw the paper throu h the machine at the same rate it is fed over the periphery of the platen.

The feeding mechanism of this invention has particular merit when used in combination with a cylindrical platen such as that found on a typewriter since it overcomes the difiiculty of slippage between adjacent paper sheets as fed through the machine by frictional engagement. Furthermore, the feeding mechanism of this invention has particular merit when feeding a fan-fold type of pre-folded and ore-printed form. Such forms are well known in the art and are of the type which are folded both transversely and longitudinally to provide a plurality of copies of a form which are retained together by their edges.

When feeding such forms over a cylindrical platen the longitudinally folded edges thereof wrinkle badly. This is true in the conventional types of typewriter wherein the feed of the fanfold form is produced by frictional engagement of the form with the typewriter platen. While the use of the fan-fold form will be described with more particularity with regard to its use in a typewriter, yet it is to be understood that such a description does not preclude the use of other forms.

The feeding mechanism of this invention is shown as used in cooperation with a cylindrical platen, the platen being usable upon an printing or typing machine. The mechanisms of Figures 1 to '7 inclusive are somewhat diagrammatic, but the essential features for establishing cooperating working relation between the mechanisms of the machine and the applicant's needle wheel feeding mechanism are sufficiently shown to obtain a clear understanding of the operation thereof.

In Figure 1 a cylindrical platen I35 is carried upon a shaft I36 by which the platen is suitably mounted within a printing or typing machine. The platen I35 is a conventional type usually associated with such machines. The shaft I36 carries a spur gear I31 and a hand wheel I33 by which the platen I35 can be manually rotated. The hand wheel I 38 is the conventional wheel provided on a platen shaft. A spurgear I39 is in operative association with the spur gear I31 and is suitably carriedupon a shaft I4ll mounted in the typewriter frame which also carries the shaft I36 to thereby establish working relation between the spur gears I31 and I39. A shaft MI is arranged in parallel relation with respect to the shaft I36 and is carried by the typewriter frame in any suitable manner. A spur gear I42, which is in operative working relation with the gear I39, is mounted upon the shaft I4 I.

-The mechanism for drawing a paper sheet or web over the platen I35 consists of the needle wheels I43 having needles I44 mounted radially about the periphery of the wheels I43. The wheels I43 are suitably secured upon the shaft I 4| and are positioned thereon in spaced relationship to permit the needles I44 to pierce opposite parallel edges of a paper web M5. The needle Wheels I43 are retained in spaced relationship upon the shaft MI by means of the end collars I25 and the central spacing collar I26. ent widths can be provided to space the wheels I 43 in proper relation for different widths of paper.

As disclosed in Figure 1 the needle wheels I43 are positioned rearwardly of the platen I35 so that a paper web I45 can be fed into the typing machine and placed under the platen I35 in the conventional manner. When a paper web or sheet is placed within the typing machine it may be fed over the platen manually and placed in its proper longitudinal position. The web or sheet I45 is then positioned horizontally over the needle wheels I43 so that the needles I44 can pierce the edges of the sheetl45 for drawing the same through the typing machine. In order to maintain the web or sheet I45 in engagement with the needles I44 and thus insure feeding of the paper through the typing machine, a weighted roller I46 is positioned about the needle wheels I43. The roller I46 is carried upon a shaft 4! hiQh Collars I26 of differis supported upon the frame of a typin machine. The shaft I4'I. is preferably movable vertically with respect to the needle wheels I43 so that the paper web I45 can be placed upon the needles I44. The roller I45 is provided with an annular recessed ring I46a which aligns with the needles I44 so that they will not engage the surface of the roller I46.

The gears I31, I39 and I42 are so selected that the needle wheels I43 will be rotated at a peripheral speed which is equal to the peripheral speed of the platen I so that the paper web I will be moved through the typing machine without occasioning slippage between the web I45 and the platen I35. When the platen I35 is rotated by the mechanism of the typing machine or by the hand wheel I38 the needle wheels I43 will be rotated through the interconnecting gear wheels so that whenever the platen I35 is moved either for line spacing by the mechanism of the typing machine or for removing the sheet I45 from the machine that the needle wheels I43 insure positive movement of the paper over the platen I35.

In Figures 2 and 3 there is shown a slightly modified arrangement of the needle feeding mechanism in cooperation with a cylindrical platen. In this arrangement the platen I35a is provided with an undercut portion which forms an annular ring I48; The platen shaft I3Ba earries a spur gear I3Ia in the same manner as described in Figure 1.

In this modification, however, the needle wheel feeding mechanism is positioned in front of the platen I35a and is adapted to engage the paper web I45a from the top surface thereof. The needle wheel I 43a is carried upon a shaft I49 upon which there is secured a spur gear I31 so that whenever the platen I 35a is rotated the needle wheel I43a will be rotated concomitantly therewith for retaining the paper web I 45a in surface engagement with the platen I35a and for feeding the same through the typing machine. The needle wheel I43 carries needles I which are aligned with the annular ring I48 so that they can pierce the paper web I4-5a to drivingly engage the same when rotated. The shaft I49 is preferably movable with respect to the platen I35a so that it can be lifted from its adjacent p0- sition with respect to the platen I35a to permit shifting of'the paper web |45a for aligning the same with respect to the type bars of the typing machine.

It can be seen in both of the arrangements previously described that the paper web I45 passing over the cylindrical platen I35 will not have friction applied to any portion of its surface to retain the same in pressure engagement with the platen I 35 for driving the paper through the typing machine. Thus, when the web forms, which are longitudinally folded, are fed over the cylindrical platen I35, the longitudinal fold lines thereof will not wrinkle. Also, it can be seen that a more even feeding of the paper web will be obtained due to the non-wrinkling of the longitudinal fold lines and that the line register of adjacent sheets will be more uniform. The disadvantage of angular displacement of the adjacent form faces is eliminated.

In Figures 4 to '7 inclusive there is shown a modified form of needle feeding apparatus wherein the needle feeding mechanism is mounted within a cylindrical platen, and wherein the needles are retractible in a manner to release the paper Web after it has been-properly fed over the platen,

In this arrangement, a cylindrical. platen I55 is carried upon a shaft I56. A plurality of retractible needle assemblies I51 is positioned radially about the perimeter ofthe platen I55.

These retractible needle assemblies consist of arcup member I58 carried within the platen I55.

cups I58 a-cam I63 is positioned upon the shaft I56. This cam I63 has a slot I64 which will permit vertical movement of the cam with respect to the interior surface I65 of the platen I55, the interior surface I65 being provided by a recess in the end of the platen I55 and in which theretractible needle assemblies I51 and the cam I63 are located.

The cam I63 is rigidly secured to an arm I 66.

Thearm I66 is pivotally carried upon an arm I 61 at I68, the arm I61 being pivotally mounted at I69 upon a stationary part of the printing or typing machine. It will thus be seen that the cam I63 is prevented from rotation by the arms I66 and I61, yet will be permitted vertical movement with respect to the interior surface I65 of the platen I55. 7

The normal position of the cam I63 with respect to the surface I65 of the platen I55 is as shown in Figure 5, whereby the needles I 60 will be driven outwardly when the cup I59 engages the surface of the cam I63. When the needle assembly I51 passes across the surface of the cam I63 the spring I62 will cause automatic retraction of the needle I60 into the cup I58. It may thus be seen that a paper web I10 which is to'be fed through a printing or typing machine 4 will be engaged by the needles I60 throughout a portion of the rotation of the platen I55. the needles I60 forcibly moving the web I10 with the platen I55. When the needles are in the position of the needle assembly I51a, see Figure 5, the

needles will have been retracted from the web I10 to release the same and permit the web to be removed or shifted while in the machine,

There will be times when it is desirable to shift the web I10 with respect to the platen I55 while the web is within the machine and in engagement with the platen, or to shift adjacent paper webs which are fed over the platen simultaneously. To permit such shifting the slot I54 in the cam I63 permits the cam to be moved vertically whereby the needle cups I59 normally engaged thereby when positioned adjacent thereto will be released to permit the springs I62 to retract the needles I60. A spring I1I is secured upon the cam I63 by means of the screws I12. The spring I1I is so shaped that it will retain the cam I63 in position, as shown in Figure 5, or in a raised position wherein the cam I63 will be raised vertically with respect to the shaft I56 to permit release of the needle assemblies engaged N thereby.

The apparatus described is particularly adaptable for feeding a fan-fold form over a cylindrical platen, but it will be readily understood that the feeding mechanism is just as applicable to the feeding of individual sheets, or individual adjacent sheets forming a multiple copyform.

It will be understood by those versed in the art that the mechanism of this invention is applicable'to any machine wherein multiple copies ofa form is to be reproduced. and wherein there is the necessity for retaining alignment or registration of adjacent form faces.

Itis therefore within the purview of this application to include those mechanisms which require mechanical changes but which fall within the scope of the invention.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. An apparatus specially adapted for'feeding a plurality of superposed paper sheets through a typewriter over the platen thereof and maintainingthem continuously indetermined superposed alignment over the entire surface area of the sheets to simultaneously position superposed type lines on the sheets at'the typing level of the machine including, a rotatable platen over which a plurality of superposed paper sheets are moved in such a manner that they encompass a substantial portion of the circumf erence of the platen of the typewriter when moving thereover through the typewriter, and feeding wheels'having a plurality of needles extending radially therefrom positioned above the platen of the typewriter and to the rear of the superposed sheets as they pass over the platen to cause the needles to pierce the paper sheets after they have passed through the machine and beyond the typing level thereof and provide the sole means for feeding the paper sheets over the platen at the peripheral speed of rotation of the platen, said needles being spaced radially in said wheels in a manner that at least one needle is always extending through the paper sheets passing over the platen to prevent any shifting of the sheets with respect to one another to maintainsuper- 'mainta-in juxtaposed alignment between adjacent sheets.

2. An apparatus specially adapted for feedinga plurality of superposed paper sheets through a typewriter over the platen thereof and maintaining them continuously in determined superposed alignment over the entire surface area of the sheets to simultaneously position superposed type lines on the sheets at the typing level of the machine, a rotatable platen over which a plurality of superposed paper sheets are moved in such a manner that they encompass a substantial portion of the circumference of the platen of the typewriter when moving thereover through the typewriter. and feeding wheels having a plurality of needles extending radially therefrom positioned above the platen of the typewriter and to the rear of the superposed sheets as they pass over the platen to cause the needles to pierce the paper sheets after they have passed through the machine and beyond the typing level thereof and provide the sole means for feeding the paper sheets over the platen at the peripheral speed of rotation of the platen, said feeding wheels being disposed relative to said platen wherein they are positioned a substantial distance inwardly from the ends thereof to engage paper substan- -ti ally-narrower than said platen and any site thereover up to the full length of said platen, said needles being spaced radially in said wheels in a manner that at least one needle is always extending through the paper sheets passing over the platen to prevent any shifting of the sheets with respect to one another to maintain superposed sheets to simultaneously position superposed type lines on the sheets at the typing level of the machine, a rotatable platen over which a plurality of superposed paper sheets are moved in such a manner that they encompass a substantial portion of the circumference of the platen of the typewriter when moving thereover through the typewriter, feeding wheels having a plurality of needles extending radially therefrom positioned above the platen of the typewriter and to the rear of the superposed sheets as they pass over the platen to cause the needles to pierce the paper sheets after they have passed through the machine and beyond the typing level thereof and provide the sole means for feeding the paper sheets over the platen at the peripheral speed of rotation of the platen, said feeding wheels being disposed relative to said platen wherein they are positioned a substantial distance inwardly from the ends thereof to engage paper substantially narrower than said platen and any size thereover up to the full length of said platen, said needles being spaced radially in said wheels in a manner that at least one needle is always extending through the paper sheets passing over the platen to prevent any shifting of the sheets with re spect to one another to maintain superposed type lines on the sheets continuously in superposed alignment whereby to simultaneously position them at the typing level and cause the radially innermost sheets to continuously maintain juxtaposed alignment with radially adjacent sheets, shaft means parallel to said platen for supporting said wheels a substantial distance inwardly from the ends of said platen and to which the wheels are secured, drive means connecting said shaft to said platen to rotate said wheels at the peripheral speed of the platen, and pressure roll means cooperating with said wheel means to apply presrality of superposed paper sheets are moved in such a manner that they encompass a substantial portion of th circumference of the platen of the typewriter when moving thereover through the typewriter, feeding wheels having a plurality of needles extending radially therefrom positioned above the platen of the typewriter and to the rear of the superposed sheets as they pass over the platen to cause the needles to pierce the paper sheets after they have passed through the machine and beyond the typing level thereof and provide the sole means for feeding the paper sheets over the platen at the peripheral speed of rotation of the platen, said feeding wheels being disposed relative to said platen wherein they are positioned a substantial distance inwardly from the ends thereof to engage paper substantially narrower than said platen and any size thereover up to the full length of said platen, said needles being spaced radially in said wheels in a manner that at least one needle is alwaysv extending through the paper sheets passing over .the platen to prevent any shifting of the sheets with respect to one another to maintain superposed type lines on the sheets continuously in superposed alignment whereby to simultaneously position them at the typing level and cause the radially innermostsheet to continuously maintain juxtaposed alignment with radially adjacent sheets, shaft means parallel to said platen for supporting said wheels a substantial distance inwardly from the ends of said platen and to which the wheels are secured, drive means connecting said shaft to said platen to rotate said wheels at the peripheral speed of .the platen, and pressure roll means engaging said wheel means to apply pressure on the paper sheets passing thereover to force the needles to pierce the sheets, said pressure roll means comprising a roller having a groove therein positioned adjacent said shaft so that the needles enter said groove.

W'ILLIAM C. PFEIFFER'. 

